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The Aesthetic Surgery Education and Research Foundation

Award Winners and Funded Projects
Tranexamic Acid Pharmacokinetics in Tumescent Solution: What Dose is Safe? Print

Researcher: Joseph Hunstad, MD

Grant Award: ASERF Interim Grant

Amount Awarded: $18,095

Project Name: Tranexamic Acid Pharmacokinetics in Tumescent Solution: What Dose is Safe?

Project Summary: The overall aim of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of tranexamic acid (TXA) administered subcutaneously within tumescent fluid on blood loss, ecchymosis and seroma rates using a prospective, blinded, randomized control trial. Additionally, we will evaluate the pharmacokinetics of TXA using mass microscopy. The results of this study will provide preliminary definitive information on the efficacy of TXA reducing blood loss for liposuction procedures for plastic surgeons, and the safety profile of TXA when added to tumescent solution. These data, and knowledge obtained from our study, will contribute to advances in aesthetic plastic surgery, especially reduction in blood loss. The goal is to guide plastic surgeons in applying evidence-based medicine to their practices to prevent complications and improve outcomes.

The primary objective is to determine the efficacy of TXA in preventing postoperative ecchymosis, seroma, and intraoperative blood loss as well as the pharmacokinetics of TXA. We will investigate the amount of blood loss in liposuction infranatant fluid after infiltration with tumescent solution containing TXA compared to tumescent fluid without TXA. Lastly, we will objectively and subjectively assess postoperative bruising using artificial intelligence.

We hypothesize that the use of tumescent infiltration containing TXA into the subcutaneous tissue will reduce blood loss, bruising and seroma rates. We also hypothesize that a dose of 500 mg of TXA (1 cc/mL) added to 1L of tumescent solution will be a safe dose of TXA without added risk of toxicity.

Upon completion of the study, it is our expectation that we will be able to demonstrate the safety of TXA added to tumescent solution by its pharmacokinetic profile. We expect to show a significant decrease in intraoperative blood loss, postoperative ecchymosis, and seroma rates in the TXA study group compared to the standard tumescent liposuction control group.

 
Differences in Surgical Practices for Transgender Mastectomy Print
Researchers: Ali R. Abtahi, DO, MSc

Grant Award: ASERF Interim Grant

Amount Awarded: $2,300

Project Name: Differences in Surgical Practices for Transgender Mastectomy

Project Summary: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the differences in surgical practices among surgeons performing transgender mastectomies throughout the United States. Currently, no evidence-based “best practices” or standards of care have been developed for chest masculinization, particularly regarding appropriate preoperative evaluation, surgical approaches, protocols for handling breast specimens, and postoperative screening and/or referral regimens.

Our goal is to report on the varying practices among surgeons throughout the United States and how such factors such as practice type (private vs. academic vs. hospital employment), region or payment model (insurance vs. self-pay vs. crowd sourcing vs. Medicaid) may affect pre/post-operative management and/or operative decision-making.

We hope to better understand what practice patterns are most common, the rationale behind these practices, and determine whether these procedures would benefit from formal guidelines established by an American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (The Aesthetic Society) or American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) sanctioned expert panel.
 
Current Trends in Aesthetic Surgery Fellowship Training Print
Researchers: Jacob N. Grow, MD and Andrew Kochuba, MD (Co-PIs)

Grant Award: ASERF Interim Grant

Amount Awarded: $2,000

Project Name: Current Trends in Aesthetic Surgery Fellowship Training

Project Summary: The purpose of this project is to investigate application trends for aesthetic surgery fellowships and how this may relate to hand, microsurgery and craniofacial fellowships. Specifically, we are interested in changes that may have occurred over time with regards to the number of applicants and positions offered for each fellowship sub-specialty. We also hope to estimate the percentage of plastic surgery residents that have sought continued training through fellowships.

With The Aesthetic Society formalizing the aesthetic surgery fellowship match process, the development of accredited microsurgical training, and general increase in plastic surgery residency positions, we hypothesize that both the number of fellowship applicants as well as fellowship positions offered will show an increase over time. This will apply to both aesthetic surgery as well as the other sub-specialties. By comparing the number of applicants to the number of positions offered, we will also seek to identify how competitive placement into each fellowship may be. Additionally, we predict that the percentage of residents seeking fellowships has also increased, suggesting that further training is becoming more common amongst residents. This may initiate further discussion concerning training gaps during residency, as well as the trend toward sub-specialization amongst practicing plastic surgeons.

We feel that our research will provide important information for our society as we navigate the future of our specialty and expectations of our trainees.
 
Anti-inflammatory Effects of Crushed Cartilage and Adipose Tissue Print
The ASERF Scientific Research Committee and Board of Directors are pleased to announce the following grant award:

Researcher: Derek M. Steinbacher, MD

Grant Award: ASERF Interim Grant

Amount Awarded: $20,000

Project Name: Anti-inflammatory Effects of Crushed Cartilage and Adipose Tissue

Project Summary: The primary aims of this study are to 1) detect and quantify chondroitin sulfate and other inflammatory modulating factors released from crushed septal cartilage grafts and 2) assess the potential effect of concomitant autologous fat grafting on levels of these factors. This research question has essential implications on wound healing, inflammation, and cartilage graft retention following rhinoplasty and facial reconstructive surgical procedures.
 
Use of Actigraphy after Abdominoplasty Print
The ASERF Scientific Research Committee and Board of Directors are pleased to announce the following grant award:

Researcher: Jeremy Joseph, MD; Kent Higdon, MD; and Galen Perdikis, MD

Grant Award: ASERF Interim Grant

Amount Awarded: $12,995.00

Project Name: Use of Actigraphy after Abdominoplasty

Project Summary: Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is a well-known complication after surgery and amongst plastic surgery patients, Abdominal lipectomy patients are one of the highest risk populations. This project will focus on identifying a method of improving and promoting early ambulation after abdominoplasty.

Using actigraphy devices such as the Fitbit Inspire HR ® (San Francisco, California USA), monitoring activity levels has become more accessible. In addition, these devices can also encourage and remind wearers to get active, especially if the wearer is below a previously defined goal or their baseline level.

We hypothesize that patients undergoing Abdominal lipectomy are more likely to return to their baseline activity status sooner when they are reminded to get active by an actigraphy device.

Our goal is to determine if actigraphy devices are useful in encouraging post-operative ambulation and in helping patients return to their baseline sooner than if they did not receive these reminders. If there is a significant difference in these two groups, it may suggest that actigraphy devices be used in high risk surgery to promote ambulation with the ultimate goal of preventing VTE.
 
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